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Orido Nishiki Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Orido Nishiki’ Japanese Maple

Breath taking. That’s all, absolutely breath taking. I am so seduced by this tree I don’t even know where to start. This is an upright variety and considered one of the best variegated upright varieties and I have to agree. Being among the upright varieties of Japanese maples it has the ability to reach 15′ to 20′ high, but if that doesn’t work for you, you can easily keep it trimmed to a lower height. Keep in mind, the more you trim trees like this when they are small the more densely they branch and the more foliage you see. With Orido Nishiki that’s a huge benefit because the foliage is spectacular.

When I first planted this tree I had no idea what to expect. I had over a thousands trees to plant and they were all dormant and pretty much looked like a pile of twigs. Even though I knew better than that and I knew I was planting some of the most desirable Japanese maples on the market, this tree really caught me by surprise when it started making leaves.

The new growth emerges with an array of colors!

Many Japanese maples change colors as the season progress, but this tree comes out of the gate with a multitude of colors ranging from pink, green, red, cream and almost pure white. As the season goes on and more new growth appears the fireworks continue to explode. Obviously, I really, really like this tree.

This tree is best suited for zones 5 through 8. Will it grow in zone 4 or zone 9? I’m sure it will but in zone 4 there is a risk of freeze damage, even though I know am not immune to that in Ohio. I just take the chance because I wouldn’t be without some of these beautiful trees. In zone 9 or warmer I really don’t know what to expect. Japanese maples need a dormancy period which means that by the end of November they need to experience at least one hard freeze. Not a frost, but a hard freeze below 32 degrees F. for a period of several hours.

Soil is best if high in organic matter and it has to be well drained. They will not tolerate soggy roots.

Comments

Sure I would to plant them we are currently in 80-85 degrees so why wait until spring? My one maple tree the bumble bees were pollinatimg two weeks ago. Now I have small buds ready to go for new leaves. Couldn’t I just root-tone
them?

Dave, if you have my system then you have the wholesale directory, you’ve received the E-course. Both of those have the vendors that I buy from. Also, among the other backyard growers there are some incredible deals posted from time to time.

Anthony, in order to get the wholesale prices you have to go to the wholesale growers. But in most cases they won’t sell to you unless you are a member of the trade and they will ask for proof. In my system I show people how to buy wholesale and how to buy from our Backyard Growers at wholesale. Our members are much easier to deal with. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

Dave, I’d really like to have somebody in Canada growing and selling Japanese maples and other plants. We have a some Canadian members, and I’m sure there are wholesale growers in Canada that somebody in the industry could buy from. You’re right, shipping them across the border is not impossible, but it’s not something that anybody wants to do unless it’s a really large order due to extra inspections.

I am really interested in this. Just don’t fully what’s involved. I live in the country and have lots of room and a small greenhouse that I winter my patio plants in. Guess I just need a 1, 2, 3, answer to what to do. Thanks, love your emails!
Dee Dee Snyder a/k/a GranDee

Beautiful tree ,I have a question mike . How many varieties can be grafted on a single specimen ? While recently at the Biltmore estate in asheville N.C. I came across a few hap maples that were in trial stage with 3 different varieties. Is this possible and what is success ratio ,and problems that may occur. Thanks chad Adams s.c

I live in the UK. In North Wales on the coast.
During the winter we can get several degrees of frost and in the Summer it will be an average temperature of 70 to 80 F. I put my Acias in the unheated greenhouse and protect with fleece and leave them to “dry out” only watering when frosts are over or buds appear. They are in pots. I can’t relate to your zones for temperatures, and wonder if I’m doing things the best way for the plants and how should I cultivate new plants using cuttings from these plants and when?
Many thanks in advance.

Mike, let me explain in this way. I used to be in zone 5, now I guess I’m zone 6 according to the new map. But that probably doesn’t mean a thing to you. But our climate here in Ohio is 50 to 75 F. in the spring, 75 to 90 degrees in the summer, and some winters can get as cold as zero and stay there for days at a time. All of my plants are grown outside, no greenhouse. Same thing goes for rooted cuttings. I stick them in sand, then come winter I leave them right in the sand. My Japanese maples, even the small ones are planted outside and left uncovered for the winter.

Bill, planted on the north side of the house, fairly close to the house you might be okay. There is a grower in Georgia that grows a lot of them, so I’m still trying to find the best varieties for warmer climates.

Mike, I live in Phoenix, Arizona. do you think I have a chance of growing one here? the zone here is 5-9 I believe. I love this tree. I used to live in California and when I asked if it would grow here in the nurseries, they say no but I have never seen anyone try it. Do you think it would grow here in Phoenix? how hot do you think it could stand?

Maria, Phoenix is brutal during the summer. I think you would have a really difficult time with most Japanese maples. I am going to research the best Japanese maples for warm climates and we’ll get that posted to this site.

Mike, a short time ago, you posted some other varieties of maples that were gorgeous colors, oranges etc. Will you please post them again as I want my sister to see them. She might be able to use them in her yard. Thanks.
Penny

Hi again, Mike. I’ve had your growing system for a while but am not a member of your message board. I’ve combed your site looking for a link to subscription info but can’t find it. I would really love to start using your system with those fabulous maples. Will you let me know how to subscribe to your message board? I’ve had a computer crash (probably more than one) since buying your system and no longer have access to the wholesale directory. Would it be possible to download another copy after you verify that I did indeed by your system?

Pam, Email Taylor at [email protected] and she’ll help you get on the board and access all of the info that comes with the system. Make sure you give her your name and address so she can find you in the system.

hey mike,
i would like to have some of the japanese maple trees for liner plants at $1.35.please reply we have the backyard growers system but im not on the message board.how can i get these plants.
backwoods nursery!
Ronnie Fisher.

I have this tree and I’m in zone 8B to 9 near Pensacola, Florida. It is beautiful and I love it. It’s doing fine even with a very mild winter last year. Although I hope we have some good cold days to make all my maples happy this winter. I have over 40 named varieties of Japanese Maples planted in my yard that I bought from the Back Yard Growers Board and will see how they all do in this planting zone. Some look great and others are not growing much but are still alive. I’ve had some planted for about 7 years that are huge. Thye are doing fantastic. I love the board and all the other Back Yard Growers. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been a Back Yard Grower for about 7 years. I didn’t know anything about growing before that and have learned so much since. Now I have over 750 Japanese Maples that I have grown from seed that are in pots. The green varieties that I will use as root stock for grafting and the red seedlings will be sold as red seedlings. The green variety I plan on grafting many of the different varieties onto these. I’ve had great success with growing and grafting the last couple of years and learned from the members of the Back Yard Growers.
Someone above mentioned grafting different varieties onto one root stock. I have done this and it’s fun to do. The one tree I did this on looks great and kind of cool especially in the spring. The rootstock I used was a seedling that was just a green variety and it was about 4 years old when I grafted the different varieties onto it. (it’s a couple years old now) It’s over 5 foot tall with 3 different weeping varieties on it. I really prefer one variety grafted on one tree. I graft 4-6 grafts onto one tree that is about 4-5 foot tall and about 4-5 years old and they are beautiful. It’s fun growing them. I love it.

Loree, thanks for sharing! You are living proof that Japanese maples can be grown in southern states. I commend you, you have done such a wonderful job and many of our members look to you for advice on growing Japanese maples. -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm